I started out wanting to be an oceanographer. I get horribly seasick, it turns out, so I switched direction and pursued a doctorate in biophysical chemistry. I did a brief stint in neuroscience and then went to Berkeley for a post-doc in molecular biology. I loved bench science but the academic life was not for me. I didn’t want to get relegated to the “mommy track” although I wanted and did have kids. Shortly after returning form Berkeley I gave up academia to write science books for kids.
For over two decades, I have been exploring ways students learn. I started out as a research scientist in the field of biophysical chemistry but later left academia to work on writing better science books for kids, especially in the elementary grades. I started Gravitas Publications Inc. in 2003 and introduced the Real Science-4-Kids product line for home and classroom educators to provide informative, activity-based science curricula for kids K-8. Real Science-4-Kids gives students the basic building blocks for a solid science foundation.
After creating more than 100 textbooks, workbooks, teacher’s manuals, and leveled readers, I felt like something was still missing. Although the Real Science-4-Kids curriculum is a logically sequenced content-centered program, I wanted to capture the excitement I felt asking my own questions and making my own discoveries as a graduate student. I wanted to understand how learning happens and put that process in an easy to use box for kids.
To unpack my own learning process, I bought a one-wheel and taught myself how to ride it and in 2020, I decided to launch RATATAZ as a way to not only introduce fundamental science concepts but help students learn how to learn. The ability to confidently and independently learn anything is the biggest gift we can give our children. Before high school, standard science education usually covers only biology and earth & space science with little or no chemistry or physics, creating an early gap that can be difficult to overcome.
RATATAZ is a learning method that introduces the core STEM subject such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, and Astronomy and nurtures kids’ incredible capacity for learning advanced concepts. All of the materials are included and all you have to do is just add water!
And there is always more to do and that’s the point of this site. Learning isn’t just about the best books (although the best books help), and it isn’t just about doing great experiments (although great experiments help). Learning is really about helping students take responsibility for their own learning and teaching them how to do that.
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
1985 BS Chemistry, NM Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM
1992 PhD Biophysical Chemistry, Univ. of NM, Albuquerque, NM
1994-1998 Post-Doc Molecular Biology, Univ. of NM, Albuquerque, NM
1998-1999 Post-Doc Molecular Biology, Univ. of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Gravitas Publications, Inc., President/CEO/Author 2003-Present
Incorporated Gravitas Publications Inc. to develop and publish science curricula for children. Author and publisher of Real Science-4-Kids books and supplemental materials.
Department of Chemistry, University of New Mexico, Research Assistant Professor 2001-2005
Coordinated research with graduate students, post-doctoral assistants, and undergraduate students. Supervised several projects involving subcloning of HIV Reverse Transcriptase, AFM imaging of constructs, and protein assays.
Department of Neurosciences, University of NM, Post-doc/lab manager 2000-2001
Conducted research involving HUD protein on poly (A) tails. Performed in vitro RNA assays using HUD protein on nascent and synthetic poly(A) tails.
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Postdoctoral Fellow 1999-2000
Programs in Mathematics and Molecular Biology, Burrough’s Wellcome Fund Scholar
Conducted research involving the extraction and AFM imaging of Xenopus condensing protein.
Department of Cell Biology, University of NM, Postdoctoral Fellow, NIH Postdoctoral Fellow [NRSA GM16914-02] 1994-1998
Conducted research involving the poly(A) binding protein PABII on poly(A) tails.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Founder, Christopher T. Keller Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for pediatric pulmonary hypertension, 2013
Member, Independent Book Publishers Assoc.
Santa Fe, NM August 29, 2003 : Member, Framework Committee and Writing Team for revision of 2003 NM Science Standards. Presented before Education Dept. in favor of revised NM State Science Standards.
Socorro, NM 1995-2001 : Judge and Chairman, Junior Microbiology Division, NM State Science Fair
PUBLICATIONS: SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS
Keller, D, Bustamante, C., and Keller, R.W., Imaging of Single Uncoated DNA Molecules by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 86, 5356-5360 (1989).
Keller, R.W., Dunlap, D.D., Bustamante, C., Keller, D.J., Garcia, R.G. Gray, C. and Maestre, M.F., Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Images of Metal-Coated Bacteriophages and Uncoated Double-Stranded DNA., J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A8 (1), 706-712 (1990).
Keller, R.W., Bear, D., and Bustamante, C., A method for Imaging E.coli RNA polymerase with the Scanning Tunneling Microscope in an Aqueous Environment. J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 9(2), 1291-1299 (1991).
Keller, R.W., Keller, D.J., Bear, D., Vasenka, J., and Bustamante, C., Electrodeposition Procedure of E. coli RNA polymerase onto Gold and Deposition of E. coli RNA polymerase onto Mica for Observation with Scanning Force Microscopy, Ultramicroscopy 42, 1173-1180 (1992).
Bustamante, C., Vesenka, J., Tang, C.L., Rees, W.A., Guthold, M., and Keller, R.W., Circular DNA Molecules Imaged in Air by Scanning Force Microscopy. Biochemistry, 31 22-26 (1992).
Rees, W.A., Keller, R.W., Vesenka, J., Guoling, Y., and Bustamante, C. Scanning Force Microscopy Imaging of Transcription Complexes: Evidence of DNA Bending in Open Promoter and Elongation Complexes Science 260 1646-1649 (1993).
Keller, R. W. Kuehn, U., Aragon, M., Bornikova, L, Wahle, E. and Bear, D.G. The Nuclear Poly (A) Binding Protein, PABP2, Forms an Oligomeric Particle Covering the Length of the Poly(A)Tail .J. Mol. Biol., 297 569-583 (2000) Postow, L, Ullsperger, C., Keller, R.W., Bustamante, C., Vologodskii, A, and Cozzarelli, N.R.Positive Torsional Strain Causes the Formation of a Four-way junction at Replication Forks, J.Biol. Chem. Oct 30, manuscript
PUBLICATIONS: SCIENCE CURRICULUM
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book K Activity Book 978-1-941181-25-6
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 1 Student Textbook (hardcover) 978-1-936114-29-0
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 1 Student Textbook (softcover) 978-1-936114-30-6
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 1 Laboratory Notebook 978-1-936114-31-3
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 1 Teacher’s Manual 978-1-936114-32-0
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 2 Student Textbook (hardcover) 978-1-936114-33-7
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 2 Student Textbook (softcover) 978-1-936114-34-4
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 2 Laboratory Notebook 978-1-936114-35-1
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 2 Teacher’s Manual 978-1-936114-36-8
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 3 Student Textbook (hardcover) 978-1-941181-00-3
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 3 Student Textbook (softcover) 978-1-941181-01-0
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 3 Laboratory Notebook 978-1-941181-02-7
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 3 Teacher’s Manual 978-1-941181-03-4
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 4 Student Textbook (hardcover) 978-1-941181-04-1
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 4 Student Textbook (softcover) 978-1-941181-05-8
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 4 Laboratory Notebook 978-1-941181-06-5
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 4 Teacher’s Manual 978-1-941181-07-2
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 5 Student Textbook (hardcover) 978-1-941181-08-9
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 5 Student Textbook (softcover) 978-1-941181-09-6
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 5 Laboratory Notebook 978-1-941181-10-2
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 5 Teacher’s Manual 978-1-941181-11-9
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 6 Student Textbook (hardcover) 978-1-941181-12-6
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 6 Student Textbook (softcover) 978-1-941181-13-3
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 6 Laboratory Notebook 978-1-941181-14-0
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 6 Teacher’s Manual 978-1-941181-15-7
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 7 Student Textbook (hardcover) 978-1-941181-16-4
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 7 Student Textbook (softcover) 978-1-941181-17-1
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 7 Laboratory Notebook 978-1-941181-18-8
Exploring the Building Blocks of Science Book 7 Teacher’s Manual 978-1-941181-19-5
Focus On Elementary Astronomy Student Textbook-3rd Edition (hardcover) 978-1-941181-63-8
Focus On Elementary Astronomy Student Textbook-3rd Edition (softcover) 978-1-941181-30-0
Focus On Elementary Astronomy Laboratory Notebook-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-31-7
Focus On Elementary Astronomy Teacher’s Manual-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-32-4
Focus On Elementary Biology Student Textbook-3rd Edition (hardcover) 978-1-941181-64-5
Focus On Elementary Biology Student Textbook-3rd Edition (softcover) 978-1-941181-33-1
Focus On Elementary Biology Laboratory Notebook-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-34-8
Focus On Elementary Biology Teacher’s Manual-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-35-5
Focus On Elementary Chemistry Student Textbook-3rd Edition (hardcover) 978-1-941181-65-2
Focus On Elementary Chemistry Student Textbook-3rd Edition (softcover) 978-1-941181-36-2
Focus On Elementary Chemistry Laboratory Notebook-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-37-9
Focus On Elementary Chemistry Teacher’s Manual-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-38-6
Focus On Elementary Geology Student Textbook-3rd Edition (hardcover) 978-1-941181-66-9
Focus On Elementary Geology Student Textbook-3rd Edition (softcover) 978-1-941181-39-3
Focus On Elementary Geology Laboratory Notebook-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-40-9
Focus On Elementary Geology Teacher’s Manual-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-41-6
Focus On Elementary Physics Student Textbook-3rd Edition (hardcover) 978-1-941181-67-6
Focus On Elementary Physics Student Textbook-3rd Edition (softcover) 978-1-941181-42-3
Focus On Elementary Physics Laboratory Notebook-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-43-0
Focus On Elementary Physics Teacher’s Manual-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-44-7
Focus On Middle School Astronomy Student Textbook-3rd Edition (hardcover) 978-1-941181-68-3
Focus On Middle School Astronomy Student Textbook-3rd Edition (softcover) 978-1-941181-45-4
Focus On Middle School Astronomy Laboratory Notebook-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-46-1
Focus On Middle School Astronomy Teacher’s Manual-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-47-8
Focus On Middle School Biology Student Textbook-3rd Edition (hardcover) 978-1-941181-69-0
Focus On Middle School Biology Student Textbook-3rd Edition (softcover) 978-1-941181-48-5
Focus On Middle School Biology Laboratory Notebook-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-49-2
Focus On Middle School Biology Teacher’s Manual-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-50-8
Focus On Middle School Chemistry Student Textbook-3rd Edition (hardcover) 978-1-941181-70-6
Focus On Middle School Chemistry Student Textbook-3rd Edition (softcover) 978-1-941181-51-5
Focus On Middle School Chemistry Laboratory Notebook-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-52-2
Focus On Middle School Chemistry Teacher’s Manual-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-53-9
Focus On Middle School Geology Student Textbook-3rd Edition (hardcover) 978-1-941181-71-3
Focus On Middle School Geology Student Textbook-3rd Edition (softcover) 978-1-941181-54-6
Focus On Middle School Geology Laboratory Notebook-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-55-3
Focus On Middle School Geology Teacher’s Manual-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-56-0
Focus On Middle School Physics Student Textbook-3rd Edition (hardcover) 978-1-941181-73-7
Focus On Middle School Physics Student Textbook-3rd Edition (softcover) 978-1-941181-72-0
Focus On Middle School Physics Laboratory Notebook-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-74-4
Focus On Middle School Physics Teacher’s Manual-3rd Edition 978-1-941181-75-1
Focus On High School Chemistry Student Textbook (softcover) 978-1-936114-94-8
Focus On High School Chemistry Laboratory Workbook 978-1-936114-96-2
Focus On High School Chemistry Teacher’s Manual 978-1-936114-97-9 21
Super Simple Astronomy Experiments 978-1-936114-28-3 21
Super Simple Biology Experiments 978-1-936114-07-8 21
Super Simple Chemistry Experiments 978-1-936114-27-6 21
Super Simple Geology Experiments 978-1-941181-26-3 21
Super Simple Physics Experiments 978-1-936114-93-1 101
Super Simple Science Experiments 978-1-941181-27-0
Super Simple Science Experiments Laboratory Notebook 978-1-941181-24-9
978-1-950415-08-3 What Is Chemistry?
978-1-950415-09-0 Atoms
978-1-950415-10-6 Molecules
978-1-950415-11-3 Atoms and Molecules Meet
978-1-950415-12-0 Acids and Bases
978-1-950415-13-7 Marshmallows, Mud Pies, and Messy Rooms
978-1-950415-14-4 French Fries and Fizzy Pop!
978-1-950415-15-1 Rubber Rain Boots and Plastic Pink Flamingos
978-1-950415-16-8 Proteins
978-1-950415-17-5 DNA
978-1-950415-18-2 What Is Physics?
978-1-950415-19-9 Force
978-1-950415-20-5 Work
978-1-950415-21-2 Energy
978-1-950415-22-9 Inertia
978-1-950415-23-6 Baseballs, Hockey Pucks, and Busy Ants: A Look at Linear Motion
978-1-950415-24-3 Wheels on a Bike: A Look at Rotational Motion
978-1-950415-25-0 Zapitty ZAP ZAP! A Look at Electricity
978-1-950415-26-7 Waves
978-1-950415-27-4 Sound
978-1-950415-28-1 Light We Can See
978-1-950415-29-8 What Is Geology?
978-1-950415-30-4 Rocks
978-1-950415-31-1 Minerals
978-1-950415-32-8 The Shape of Earth
978-1-950415-33-5 Earth’s Layers
978-1-950415-34-2 Moving Plates
978-1-950415-35-9 Volcanoes
978-1-950415-36-6 Earthquakes
978-1-950415-37-3 Earth’s Spheres (Astronomy ISBN assignments may change)
978-1-950415-38-0 What Is Astronomy?
978-1-950415-39-7 Earth and Space
978-1-950415-40-3 Moon
978-1-950415-41-0 Sun
978-1-950415-42-7 Planets
978-1-950415-43-4 Constellations
978-1-950415-44-1 The Solar System
978-1-950415-45-8 Stars
978-1-950415-46-5 Galaxies
978-1-950415-47-2 Comets, Asteroids, and Black Holes
978-1-950415-48-9 What Is Biology?
978-1-950415-49-6 Life
978-1-950415-50-2 The Cell: A Tiny City
978-1-950415-51-9 Bacteria and Archaea
978-1-950415-52-6 Viruses
978-1-950415-53-3 Protozoa
978-1-950415-54-0 Mushrooms, Molds, and Bread Bugs!
978-1-950415-55-7 Plants
978-1-950415-56-4 Animals
978-1-950415-57-1 Sponges
978-1-950415-58-8 Sea Jellies
978-1-950415-71-7 Plant Cells vs Animal Cells
978-1-950415-72-4 Microscopes
978-1-950415-73-1 Photosynthesis
978-1-953542-02-1 What Is Exercise Science?
978-1-953542-03-8 Super Simple Science Experiments Laboratory Notebook (replaces the ISBN used on KDP)
978-1-953542-06-9 Solids, Liquids, and Gases
978-1-953542-07-6 How Does Your Body Work?
978-1-953542-08-3 Magnets
978-1-953542-15-1 Heat
978-1-953542-16-8 Field Notebook
978-1-953542-17-5 The Geosphere
978-1-953542-18-2 The Atmosphere
978-1-953542-19-9 The Hydrosphere
978-1-953542-20-5 The Biosphere
978-1-953542-21-2 The Magnetosphere
978-1-953542-22-9 Earth in Balance
978-1-953542-23-6 The Size of Earth
978-1-953542-24-3 Nutrition